Mayor Reaffirms Goal to Make New York the “Crypto Capital of the Globe”
New York City Mayor Eric Adams has launched a crypto advisory council to shape the city’s blockchain strategy and strengthen its role in the digital asset space. The announcement was made during a crypto conference on May 12, where Adams reaffirmed his ambition to transform New York into the “crypto capital of the globe.”
“We want to bring the jobs of the future to our city today,” Adams said. “That means supporting a diverse, equitable, and inclusive tech ecosystem.”
The advisory effort will include input from financial technology firm Figure and private equity firms Traction and Scale, which will assist the city in drafting crypto-related policy recommendations in the coming weeks.
Crypto for Taxes and Blockchain for Public Records?
In addition to forming the advisory council, Adams said his administration is actively exploring the possibility of allowing taxes and certain city services to be paid in cryptocurrency.
The city will also assess how blockchain technology could be used to securely manage sensitive documents such as birth and death records, allowing secure but accessible recordkeeping for New Yorkers.
“Bringing blockchain security capabilities to the city means that birth certificates and death records can remain private but accessible to New Yorkers and their next of kin,” Adams explained.
We’re taking the next step in becoming the Crypto Capitol of the WORLD, hosting our city’s first-ever Crypto and Digital Assets Summit! Join us LIVE as we get started: https://t.co/iwO6ThkaSB
— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) May 20, 2025
State-Level Crypto Bills Still in Limbo
At the state level, New York lawmakers have introduced several bills aimed at integrating crypto into public services:
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In April, Assemblyman Clyde Vanel proposed legislation to allow state agencies to accept cryptocurrency as a form of payment.
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In February, Senator James Sanders Jr. introduced the Blockchain Study Act, which would create a task force to assess the state’s crypto readiness.
However, both bills have yet to advance beyond the committee stage.
Adams’ Crypto-Forward Stance Remains Strong
Since taking office in January 2022, Adams has positioned himself as one of the most crypto-forward politicians in the U.S., famously accepting his first three paychecks in Bitcoin.
Though Adams faced corruption allegations involving donations from Turkish interests, the Department of Justice intervened, and the case was dismissed with prejudice on April 2, making it legally final.
“This city is resilient. We’re not slowing down on innovation,” Adams stated during the conference.
Final Thoughts: A Model for Municipal Crypto Leadership?
New York City’s renewed push under Adams mirrors a broader trend across the U.S., with at least 18 states actively considering legislation to create state-level Bitcoin reserves. New Hampshire and Arizona have already passed such measures, according to data from the Bitcoin Reserve Monitor.
With Adams pushing for blockchain-backed services and crypto payment integration, New York may soon become a municipal case study for crypto adoption at scale, bridging both public infrastructure and financial innovation in one of the world’s most iconic cities.
